We accepted this war for an object, a worthy object, and the war will end when that object is attained. Under God, I hope it never will until that time.

One eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war.

Lamon, that speech won't scour. It is a flat failure and the people are disappointed.

As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew.

I will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. It is not the Constitution as I would like to have it, but as it is, that is to be defended. The Constitution will not be preserved & defended until it is enforced & obeyed in every part of every one of the United States. It must be so respected, obeyed, enforced and defended, and let the grass grow where it may.

The strongest bond of human sympathy outside the family relation should be one uniting working people of all nations and tongues and kindreds.

Peace does not appear so distant as it did. I hope it will come soon, and come to stay; and so come as to be worth the keeping in all future time.